40 jobs saved at Inverin supermarket

Galway supermarket magnate Pat Joyce has taken over the Super Valu store in Indreabhán, securing around 40 full and part-time staff.

Staff at ‘Siopa an Phobail’ were told last week that Mr Joyce had purchased the business, which had been in receivership for more than two years.

It’s understood that more than 40 full and part-time staff are employed at the store, and all jobs will be retained, and Mr Joyce is set to invest in the business.

Mr Joyce said: “We’d like to pay tribute to the management and staff of Siopa an Phobail and are delighted to bring stability to both employees and customers, giving them the security of knowing that the doors of their local store and place of employment will stay open for many years to come.

“Joyce’s Supermarkets are a local business with 63 years know-how in the Galway retail trade and we look forward to building on the success of Siopa an Phobail, bringing our passion for fresh, high-quality food and a commitment to better pricing and good value for money to the community of Indreabhán,” said Mr Joyce.

He now owns five supermarkets in Galway: Headford, Knocknacarra, Tuam Athenry and now Indreabhán, employing a total of 350 staff. He is also planning a new store on the site of the former Oyster Manor Hotel in Clarinbridge which he also owns.

The chain is massively successful – two of his busiest stores (Knocknacarra and Athenry) had a combined turnover of almost €37m in 2011.

Siopa an Phobail had been operated by Derek and Helen Kerrigan from Moycullen until the operating company was placed in receivership in January 2012 with debts of almost €5.5m and a deficiency in funds of almost €1.7m.